Entries from April 2014

Two recent hearings in Lamar magistrate court have resulted in a ruling from Judge William Thomas that gives Stephen Brehaut until Aug. 1 to clean up the remains of the Lighthouse Restaurant.
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But, when so many make only the effort to reach as far as is needed for a handout, we have to look a little bit harder to find success stories.

Haskell Ward is one of those stories. Haskell grew up in Griffin and is married to Leah Sears Ward, former chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court. I had the pleasure of hearing him speak recently.
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The big house on Thomaston Street built in 1920 by local industrialist Walter B. Smith beckoned to Jean and Charles Dukes.

They were drawn into its orbit when Jean’s mother Charlotte Edwards died suddenly in 1981. The couple went to Zebulon to be with her father Red Edwards and never really went back to their Atlanta home.
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2
Reduce heat to medium, and add the onions, broccoli and a pinch of salt, stirring until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne and cook for until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer. Add the chicken stock to the pan and then add the rice and lay the chicken carefully on top.

3
Bring the liquid to a boil and then lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until the rice and chicken are finished cooking, 15-20 minutes. Add the frozen peas during the last 3 to 4 minutes of cooking.

4
Remove from heat. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon or lime wedges

Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies were summoned to the 1600 block of Smith Road around 9:20 p.m. last night, April 1, 2014 in response to a call from a motorist who was being assaulted by a pedestrian.
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Monroe County Sheriff John Cary Bittick is asking for the public's help in finding a missing Monroe County man. On Sunday, March 30, 2014, Willie James Thomas, 54 years of age, checked himself out of Whispering Pines Personal Care Home, located in south Monroe County on Hwy. 41, to attend church services at a nearby church. Thomas was reported missing by the Care Home around 1:30 a.m. Monday morning. Monroe County deputies searched for several hours for Thomas but were not able to locate him. A Mattie's Call was issued yesterday afternoon, Monday, March 31, for Thomas.

Thomas is a black male, 6 ft. 2 in. tall and weighs approximately 170lbs. He is usually wearing a hoodie type shirt with a green colored coat but was last seen wearing a shiny, gray coat and jeans. He is usually not clean shaven and has stubble and has dark hair that is graying. His eyes are brown. He may not be lucid and may be in need of immediate medical attention.

Another resident at the Care Home told investigators that Thomas was observed getting into a small, white, two-door vehicle, possibly a Honda or Toyota, being driven by an older, white male. This information has not been substantiated. Thomas may be attempting to travel to Ft. Valley or Macon, GA or to Orlando, FL where he may have family.

If anyone has any information about Thomas or his whereabouts, please contact the Monroe County Sheriff's Office at 478-994-7010.